imposed on us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imposed on us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been forced or placed upon a group or individual without their consent. Example: "The new regulations were imposed on us without any prior consultation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The hard truth is this one-way street for Greece was imposed on us," Tsipras said.

The Guardian

It's one measure of how culture is imposed on us that what's normal in children is problematic in adults.

The New York Times - Magazine

Close to tears, he said: "No one can stand it, but it is imposed on us.

The New York Times

"The idea of a 3-D episode was something imposed on us, so Bonnie said: 'O.K., we'll do one.

The New York Times - Arts

Ahmadinejad is not imposed on us".

The New York Times

We defended ourselves against wars that were imposed on us.

The New Yorker

One day the prohibition is imposed on us.

The New York Times

The Ayrault plan can't be imposed on us".

The Guardian

Religion is not something imposed on us by priests any more than economics is imposed on us by bankers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Westerners are individualists who do not like the beliefs of others imposed on us," he wrote.

The New Yorker

Risks imposed on us are scarier than those we take by choice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "imposed on us", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is doing the imposing, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "imposed on us" in contexts where the source of the imposition is unclear or obscured. This can weaken your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imposed on us" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an action or burden is being applied to a group. It is commonly used to express a lack of agency or consent in the situation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "imposed on us" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations where something is forced upon a group or individual without their consent. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, reflecting its use in discussing policies, regulations, or events affecting communities. While "forced upon us" is a similar alternative, it carries a stronger connotation of resistance, so its crucial to contextualize to get the meaning across. When writing with "imposed on us", clearly identify the source of the imposition to prevent any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced upon us

Emphasizes the forceful nature of the imposition.

placed upon us

A more neutral way of saying something has been added as a burden.

subjected to us

Highlights the act of being made to undergo something.

inflicted upon us

Suggests that something unpleasant or painful has been brought upon the group.

thrust upon us

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the imposition.

dictated to us

Implies a lack of choice or negotiation in the matter.

levied on us

Often used in the context of taxes, fees or penalties.

mandated for us

Highlights the official or legal nature of the imposition.

required of us

Focuses on the obligation or necessity of complying.

exacted from us

Implies a forceful demand or extraction of something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "imposed on us" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "mandated for us" or "required of us", which emphasize the official or obligatory nature of the imposition.

Is there a difference between "imposed on us" and "forced upon us"?

While similar, "forced upon us" typically carries a stronger connotation of coercion or resistance, whereas "imposed on us" can be more neutral, simply indicating something was applied without consent.

What does "imposed on us" mean?

The phrase "imposed on us" means that something (a rule, a burden, a situation) has been placed or forced upon a group or individual without their consent or agreement.

In what contexts is "imposed on us" commonly used?

The phrase is often used in political, economic, or social discussions to describe policies, regulations, or conditions that are experienced as unwelcome or involuntary. For example when new taxes have been "levied on us".